The Bethlehem Central School District has learned of eight new positive cases of COVID-19 in the district, one at Glenmont Elementary School, two at Slingerlands Elementary School, one at the middle school and four at the high school.
Glenmont Elementary School
- An individual associated with a kindergarten classroom at Glenmont has tested positive. No close contacts have been identified at school or on the school bus. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Tuesday, Dec. 7. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
Slingerlands Elementary School
- An individual associated with a first-grade classroom at Slingerlands has tested positive. No close contacts have been identified at school or on the school bus. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Friday, Dec. 10. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
- An individual associated with Slingerlands (all grades) has tested positive. No close contacts have been identified at school. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Friday, Dec. 17. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
Bethlehem Central Middle School
- An individual associated with the middle school has tested positive. Close contacts have been identified and have been notified directly. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Tuesday, Dec. 14. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
Bethlehem Central High School
- An individual associated with grade 11 at the high school has tested positive. No close contacts have been identified as a result of contact tracing at school. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Thursday, Dec. 16. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
- Another individual associated with grade 11 at the high school has tested positive. No close contacts have been identified as a result of contact tracing at school. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Thursday, Dec. 16. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
- An individual associated with the high school support staff has tested positive. Close contacts have been identified and have been notified directly. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Thursday, Dec. 16. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
- Another individual associated with the high school support staff has tested positive. Close contacts have been identified and have been notified directly. The last day the person who tested positive was at school was Tuesday, Dec. 14. This individual will not return to the school until cleared by the health department.
The Albany County Department of Health recently announced that it was revising its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for schools, allowing asymptomatic students to “test out” of quarantine after seven full days and return to school before the full 10-day period has elapsed. This change is limited to K-12 students and staff who do NOT have a household contact with COVID-19. The Bethlehem Central School District will allow a return to school for students deemed close contacts as early as day eight (8) if they are symptom-free and test negative for COVID. For now, this revised practice will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in the district, with families working with their child’s school nurse to determine an appropriate return-to-school plan. School nurse contact information can be found here.
In addition, proper use of face masks and social distancing play important roles in mitigating the spread of the virus and in determining who must quarantine. Student use of face masks so far has been exemplary in most situations. Please remind your students of the importance of continuing proper usage of face masks when indoors at school, during the school day, and after school.
What to do if your child is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
Students, staff, and families are asked to watch for symptoms of COVID-19. If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home and contact your healthcare provider. Also, contact your child’s school to report the absence and notify your child’s school nurse.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Parents should bring this form with them to their child’s health care provider. It must be submitted when a child with symptoms returns to school. Asymptomatic siblings of students who are awaiting a COVID test or an alternate diagnosis can come to school as long as they remain symptom-free.
- Look for vaccine information? Click here for COVID vaccine information.
- Looking for diagnostic COVID-19 testing information? Click here for COVID testing information.
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